Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
The fucking humidity is something else as drops of rain start to fall.
Just another day at work. At least it’s not pouring buckets.
Tshimaga walks toward us, two of his soldiers following right behind him, carrying a small fold-up table. The soldier sets it down between us, and a worn briefcase is placed on it.
“Mr. Vetrov, welcome to the DRC,” Tshimaga says. Even though there’s a cruel gleam in his eyes, I can see he’s a businessman. It’s all about the money for him.
I nod at him. “Thank you.”
Dad steps closer until I feel him slightly behind me as he guards my back.
“I trust you’ll approve of the quality. You won’t find the same stones anywhere else,” Tshimaga says as he gestures at the worn briefcase.
I gesture for Bryant, one of my best men, to open the briefcase.
When he flips it open, I step closer to inspect the diamonds. I can spot a fake a mile away and have a keen eye for the real deal.
I take my time, checking every stone, and happy with the quality, I say, “You have a deal. One million euros as agreed.”
I gesture for Bryant to take the diamonds, and he quickly places them in a small steel box. Once he seals it, only a Vetrov can open it because no one else knows the code, and the box is impenetrable.
I pull the black card from my pocket with the authorization code for the funds printed in gold on it.
The million euros is safely in an account at St. Monarch’s, and once Tshimaga presents the code, they’ll release it to him.
“Nice doing business with you, Mr. Vetrov. I hope to see you again.”
I tip my chin. “I’ll be in touch.”
I don’t move a muscle as Tshimaga and his men fold up their little table and head back to their jeeps. Only when they’re driving into the jungle do I turn around and walk back to the plane.
Dad lets out a tired sigh. “Now for the thirteen-hour flight home. I’m getting too old for this.”
I need to train Bryant to meet with the smugglers in Africa so he can make the runs for me.
Once we’re all seated and the pilot announces we’re ready for take-off, I ask Dad, “Would it be too soon to propose to Abigail?”
A wide smile spreads over his face. “It’s never too soon. I knew your mother two weeks when we were married.”
Right.
“But it all depends on whether Abigail is ready to take that step. You need to talk to her about the matter and see how she feels.”
“You’re right,” I mutter. “But then I won’t be able to surprise her.”
“You really love Abigail?”
Without hesitation, I nod. “More than life itself.”
“Well, if she loves you, then go for it. You can be engaged for a while before you get married if she needs time to get used to it.”
I let out a chuckle. “If Abigail says yes, I’m not going to wait a year or even months.”
Dad shakes his head at me, a huge smile on his face. “I’m going to get some shut-eye. You should do the same.”
Abbie
This is insane. I can’t believe my father is going to such lengths.
You knew he would lose his shit if he found out about you and Nikolai.
Instructed to freshen up for dinner, I’ve been locked up in my bedroom for the past hour.
I’m freaking livid and haven’t been able to sit down for a second. I’m too wired and keep stalking up and down.
It will take Nikolai an entire day, if not longer, before he finds out I’m no longer at St. Monarch’s. I try to calculate how long it will take for him to get to Congo, have the meeting, and come back.
That’s like… twenty-eight hours? Thirty?
Shit.
Aurora should’ve noticed by now that I’m not at St. Monarch’s. She’ll try to call, and if she can’t reach me, she’ll hopefully ask Director Koslov about me.
Crap, does Director Koslov even know I’m dating his godson? Would he perhaps search for me?
Inna might notice as well. If Nikolai can’t reach me once he’s back, he’ll check with them.
Thirty hours. A lot can happen before he realizes I’m not at St. Monarch’s.
It’s up to me to get out of here.
I glance around my room, and my eyes lock on the widow.
You’ve snuck out plenty of times. You can do this.
I rush to the doors leading to the balcony but find the key has been removed. Just as I search for something to break the glass with, the door to my room opens, and my mother comes in.
She holds a margarita glass in her hand, and I notice her eyes are glassy. “Your father is calling for you.”
She sees that I’m still wearing a pair of jeans and a blouse, then frowns. “You should’ve changed. He’ll be upset.”
“I don’t care.” I shake my head hard. “You know this is insane. You can’t keep me here.”